Ahead of the game: sustainability in sport

Sports have an undeniable impact on society, bringing people together and inspiring greatness. As the world faces growing environmental challenges, the sports industry must take a proactive stance in promoting sustainability. In this blog, we will explore the significance of sustainability in sports and the initiatives that can be taken to minimise there ecological footprint.

Consumers have been pushing brands to decarbonise their operations across a wide range of industries including retail, travel, events and gaming.

Now, even traditionally loyal sports fans are adding their voices to the call for climate action, holding their teams accountable for unsustainable practices.

A 2024 survey

found that 66% of football fans believe the sport should do more to address sustainability. Younger generations are particularly outspoken, with only 12% of Gen Z fans saying they would overlook poor environmental performance from their clubs.

Some leagues and teams have been quicker to change their habits - and to bring their fans along on the journey. 

The UN

Sports for Climate Action Framework

calls upon sports organisations and their stakeholders to participate in a novel climate action movement for sports. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide support and guidance to sports actors in their efforts to contribute to global climate change goals.

The framework is designed to accomplish two main goals:

Through participation in the initiative, all signatories will become official participants in the

Race to Zero

campaign. This global effort aims to mobilise leadership and backing from businesses, cities, regions and investors in pursuit of a healthy, resilient and zero-carbon economy. The campaign's overarching goals include mitigating future threats, generating quality job opportunities, and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.

An analysis of the UN Sport for Climate Action initiative's membership reveals that approximately 270 sports stakeholders are currently part of the initiative.

The diagram below illustrates that the current signatories to the Sport for Climate Action initiative constitute less than 0.1% of the entire sports industry. Among the signatories, leagues, teams, and clubs form the largest group, with slightly over 100 members, but they represent just 0.1%. On the other hand, Sports Federations have the highest percentage of members, with 80 representatives accounting for 0.5% of the total sports federations.

Following the Sports for Climate Action Framework, the IUCN has launched the

Sports for Nature Framework

, which calls upon sports organisations and their stakeholders to participate in the climate action movement for sports, with a particular focus on nature. This initiative has been signed by over 20 organisations - including International Olympic Committee - and these organisations pledge to adhere to four key principles that will safeguard nature:

Sports events, from local tournaments to international championships, can leave behind a considerable environmental footprint. The extensive use of energy, water and resources for stadium operations, transportation and spectator amenities contributes to carbon emissions, waste generation and habitat destruction. Additionally, improper waste management can lead to pollution of water bodies and landscapes.

Compared to other industries, such as fashion, for example, the impact of supply chain and sustainability issues in sports is not as widely known and is complex and difficult to measure; however, it is recognised that unsustainable activities in sports have been contributing to climate change.

To combat the environmental impact, sports organisations should be taking steps, big and small, and embracing a sustainability journey. This applies across the whole field - from football to motorsport.

To tackle the environmental impact, sports organisations are increasingly embracing sustainable venue and track design. From constructing energy-efficient stadiums to utilising renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, these initiatives reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy adoption. Moreover, modern stadium designs emphasise water conservation through rainwater harvesting systems and smart irrigation technologies.

The 2024 Olympics, held in Paris, France, set a new standard for sustainability in global sporting events. The Games achieved a 54.6% reduction in carbon emissions compared to London 2012 and Rio 2016. Nearly all energy used was sourced from renewables, and the only new permanent venue, the Aquatics Centre, was built with low-carbon materials and is solar-powered. The Olympic Village featured green spaces, sustainable construction, and post-Games repurposing.

The games also embraced additional initiatives, including accessible public transit, extensive cycling infrastructure, locally sourced plant-based food options, plastic-free policies, and even a sustainable athletics track made from recycled seashells - collectively making Paris 2024 one of the most sustainable Olympic games.

One of the main challenges in sports sustainability is managing transportation-related emissions. Frequent travel for teams, officials and fans can lead to a significant carbon footprint.

To address this, some sports leagues encourage the use of public transport for fans and promote carpooling initiatives. Additionally, virtual or regional events can be organised to reduce long-distance travel. 

This is known to be an issue in the motorsport industry, Formula 1 especially, where fans are putting pressure on the organisation to create a more sustainable racing calendar. The FIA​ (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) has taken the initiative to move towards greater calendar regionalisation, reducing logistical burdens.

Formula 1 also plans to introduce 100% sustainable fuel by 2026, part of a broader strategy to reach net-zero by 2030. This includes using drop-in fuels made from bio-waste and carbon capture technology.

The vast amount of waste generated during sports events demands efficient waste management strategies.

For example, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,

175 tons of athlete food and over 300,000 lunchboxes

for staff were left unused.

Organisers estimate that the average

NFL

game generates 80,000 pounds of trash, and that can double during the Super Bowl. This has led to the creation of the

NFL Green initiative

where the organisation ensures recycling and Solid Waste Management at events such as the Super Bowl.

Minimising single-use plastics and adopting recycling programs can significantly reduce the environmental impact. Several sports teams and venues have already committed to zero-waste initiatives, diverting waste away from landfills and incineration.

Sports events are complex undertakings that require meticulous planning. By integrating sustainability into event planning, organisers can make a positive difference. This can include sourcing locally-produced and organic food for concessions, ensuring water stations are available for refilling bottles, and using eco-friendly promotional materials.

The

Formula 1 French Grand Prix’s

climate commitments are based on continuous improvement aimed at reducing the consumption of raw materials, favouring the use of biofuel-based energy sources, the use of sustainable materials and the elimination of single-use plastics. Alongside

a strong commitment to social responsibility, t

he French Grand Prix has also developed an innovative mobility plan that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of spectator travel. Consequently, the FIA awarded the organisation with their

highest level of environmental certification

.

With billions of global fans, 3.5 billion people following football and 2.5 billion people following cricket, the sports sector holds significant potential to drive momentum towards climate action. Athletes, positioned at the very heart of sports, are embracing the responsibility to lead this charge.

Sports organisations can involve fans through educational campaigns, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. By fostering a culture of environmental consciousness, sports can inspire a global movement towards sustainability. Furthermore,

athletes can use their platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire positive change.

Envision Racing

, known as the 'greenest team on the grid' proudly announced achieving a significant milestone by receiving over 150,000 climate-positive pledges through their

Race Against Climate Change

™ (RACC) initiative. This remarkable feat reflects their dedication to combating climate change and encourages individuals to take action in the fight against environmental challenges.

The leading British Formula E team has launched the consumer-facing aspect of the RACC initiative, known as the Sustainable Chain. This initiative empowers fans and their communities to take green pledges and drive climate action, particularly in the aftermath of the UN's COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. 

The Sustainable Chain campaign tasks fans with taking one of ten pledges to help save the planet. Via Envision Racing’s website, fans calculate their carbon footprint and then watch it diminish as they introduce green lifestyle changes.

These include:  

Through a partnership with

Earthly

, Envision Racing plants a mangrove tree in Madagascar for every pledge made. So far, the initiative has achieved an impressive milestone with 150,000 pledges made and an equivalent number of trees planted. Incredibly, these collective actions have successfully prevented over 38 million kilograms of dangerous carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the battle against climate change.

Sustainability can also be fostered through strategic partnerships and sponsorships. Aligning with eco-conscious brands and organisations can amplify the message of sustainability and promote eco-friendly practices throughout the sports industry. Brands can also take this opportunity to showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility.

In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on utilising

nature-based solutions

to mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has even suggested that the implementation of nature-based solutions could contribute to achieving up to 37% of the necessary emission reductions.

Businesses in the sports industry can begin sustainable reform by offsetting carbon emissions effortlessly through reforestation, regenerative agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. The first movers will be leading the way in sustainability, enhance their brands' sustainable reputation, and make a lasting impact on the planet.

As mentioned, nature-based solutions (NbS) are one of the most effective and scalable tools to address the climate crisis,

offering up to 37% of the emissions reductions needed to meet global targets

.

For the sports industry, NbS present a practical, high-impact response to rising climate expectations from fans, sponsors,and governing bodies. By restoring and protecting ecosystems like

mangroves

,

peatlands

,

grasslands

,

forests

, and blue carbon habitats, sports organisations can deliver measurable environmental outcomes and reinforce their commitment to long-term sustainability:

The opportunities for sports leaders to support world-class nature-based solutions are substantial and growing. By leveraging the influence of your team, governing body, sponsors, and fan networks, you can drive collective climate action and tell a bigger, more impactful story that resonates on and off the field.

At Earthly

, we’re seeing a sharp rise in consortium-style buying, where multiple stakeholders join forces to fund high-quality, long-term climate projects. This approach allows organisations to lock in forward pricing on verified removal credits, offering financial predictability while scaling measurable impact.

Initiatives like Symbiosis (Google, Meta, Microsoft & Salesforce) and Amazon (+supply chain + stakeholders) have proven the power of collaborative investment for nature. 

Investing in

our high-impact projects

gives sports organisations the ability to plan, commit, and support nature alongside their fans and partners.

Let's talk

if your team is ready to explore what this could look like.